server software/security?

[codewrecker]

Hello All:
I was wondering techniques many of you use to secure your computers after loading server software on it. I am currently running XP and looking to load server software so that I can build data bases with MySQL and run my php scripts without dealing with ftping to my web site.

any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I currently use Mcafee's personal firewall software..is that enough or do you think i need to do something else?

[Danrak]

What kind of internet connection do you have? If xDSL/Cable are you networking the computers and going through the connection?

[codewrecker]

sorry forgot to mention that; I use a cable modem. no network..just my computer.

[seanf]

I just use a ZoneAlarm to block connections from "outside"

Sean

[Maelstrom]

I used to use zonealarm pro. The reason I don't anymore isn't because it was incompetant. In fact I would still use it. But now I have a freebsd box working as a router/gateway. Cheap too. All I have a disk popped in there with no HD and it runs great

[seanf]

Well, if you have got that much time to mess about

Sean

[!!freebsddude]

Do you dial up or have a high speed DSL/cable type of setup ? On many occasions, your dsl modem/router hardware might be able to act as a basic firewall etc.

For example, with a Cisco DSL modem/router you can basically turn off all ports to access say ftp, telnet, etc. when initiated from the outside and do some basic packet filtering etc.